Patrick Rhone’s iPad Life

Please welcome Patrick Rhone, best known for Minimal Mac Patrick was kind enough to take the time to talk iPads with me. Tell me a little about yourself, what do you do, where do you live? I’m likely best known these days as a Writer and Curator at Minimal Mac, where you will find original […]

Please welcome Patrick Rhone, best known for Minimal Mac Patrick was kind enough to take the time to talk iPads with me.

Tell me a little about yourself, what do you do, where do you live?

I’m likely best known these days as a Writer and Curator at Minimal Mac, where you will find original writing, links, quotes, photos and submissions around the theme of minimalist practices in the area of technology. An idea I often refer to as ÒenoughÓ.

I also am the proprietor of Machine Methods a firm that assists individuals and micro-businesses get the best out of technology.

What was your reaction when the iPad was launched?

I knew I wanted one immediately. I was an Apple Newton user for many years. In fact, I used one as my main mobile machine for most of those. I knew the iPad was the next logical (and long awaited) progression of that idea. As someone who’s job is often highly mobile, anything I can do to reduce that load is a welcome one.

Which model did you order and why?

I bought the WiFi only 64GB model. I knew this would become my main mobile machine for the next couple of years so I did not want to have to worry about running out of space. As for 3G, well, in every case I might need it I have my iPhone with me and it is better suited for that kind of task, so I saw no need. In hindsight, I don’t use it for much onboard media (music so I likely could have sufficed with the 32GB model.

How are you using the iPad on a daily basis?

As said, I use it for my main mobile machine. When I’m out and about, or even away from my desk at home, I’m on my iPad. Lots of email, browsing, writing, reading, etc. I do take the Apple Wireless Keyboard with me if I know I’m going to be doing a ton of typing (like now, for instance).

Can you give me a quick run down of the apps that you use the most?

I do 95% of all of my writing on the iPad in Simplenote, which syncs with Notational Velocity on the desktop. It is a fantastic app. Instapaper for reading is equally fantastic. In fact, if those were the only two third party apps on my iPad I would probably be just fine. Reeder is used for my RSS feeds. I use Ego, less to see my stats but more to keep track of my multiple Tumblr based sites. Also, Mail.app and Safari get a ton of play. Twitterrific gets more than it should. Don’t even get me started on Angry Birds.

Which app is your favorite?

That would be a hard choice between Instapaper and Simplenote. If forced, under penalty of death, Simplenote would likely win. I am a writer after all.